Korowai - Koata Aotearoa

About Korowai

Also known as “kahu huruhuru”, most people use the word “korowai” as the name to describe Maori feather cloaks. Korowai are the most highly prized of all traditional Maori garments and are regarded as family and personal heirlooms.

Traditional Korowai

In pre-European times the base of the cloak was made from flax fibre (muka) which had been washed, bleached to almost white and then softened. The fibres would then be rolled together until a long yarn was formed, which was woven into a large rectangle forming the backing of the korowai. There are very few weavers who still use this method.

The feathers were fastened onto the backing. The most prized feathers were from the huia and kiwi, especially the rare white albino kiwi. Sometimes the cloak would be fringed with taniko (a type of stitching) or white kiwi feathers. More colourful cloaks were made from the feathers of the wood pigeon (white feathers from the breast and green from the back), kaka or native parrot (red feathers) and tui (blue-black feathers).

The few remaining korowai that were made with these traditional materials are priceless taonga (treasures) and are commonly stored in museums. These korowai are not easily accessible for most people.

Contemporary Korowai

Modern times have allowed us to construct Korowai in contemporary fashion and with this there are many benefits:

• Korowai created by Koata are made from feathers that have been previously treated by New Zealand Customs. This enables people to take them out of and into the country when accompanied by appropriate customs documentation.
• While Koata korowai still take a considerable time to create, the process is significantly faster than traditional methods. Depending on size and the complexity of the design we are able to produce 2 – 3 korowai in a week.
• Koata use sewing machines to double and/or triple stitch each row of feathers onto the korowai backing. The Korowai are fully lined, professionally finished and robustly constructed.
• By having contemporary korowai available, the few traditional korowai still remaining in New Zealand can be safely stored away or held for only the most significant of occasions. People are able to wear contemporary korowai comfortably and without fear of damaging an irreplaceable item.
• Koata source their feathers from all around the world allowing for a greater variety of feather colours, shapes and sizes.
• Koata are able to custom make korowai to meet your design needs, for instance, creating a completely white korowai for a wedding or designing a korowai in the colours of a particular organisation or school

Each korowai is lovingly made by Koata and every care is taken to ensure that the korowai will last as family heirlooms and treasures. Koata are proud to provide you with the opportunity to have your own family korowai, a unique piece of art that captures the essence of New Zealand Culture.

Pricelist catalogue

Contact Koata Krafts Limited

For more information contact:
Jared Riwai-Couch
Email:jared@koata.iwi.nz
Mob: +64 21 981 106